Video Quality: Relating Quality to Specs and Need
You will edit any video for the story. One core question defines everything:
What is the quality of a video?
The quality that we sell or talk about often defines presentation, not the story. Cameras, codecs, picture profiles, LOG, or RAW do not automatically create a good video. They only provide options and flexibility in how the story is presented.
Key questions every creator must think about:
Will you colour correct?
Will you shoot LOG for great stories and efficient workflows?
Will you shoot RAW?
Each of these choices directly affects your workflow, file sizes, time investment, and creative freedom.
What Is a Camera?
A camera is essentially a data-capturing device.
It records light hitting the sensor and converts it into digital information. Unlike human vision, a camera does not interpret emotion, depth, or intent — it only captures data.
How this data is:
Processed
Compressed
Stored
Presented
defines the final image or video we see.
Human Eye Versus Camera
The human eye and a camera see the world very differently.
Human vision:
Automatically adapts to light
Prioritizes what matters emotionally
Is more sensitive to changes in dark tones
Cameras:
Record measurable light data
Respond linearly to light
Do not understand context or emotion
With a digital camera:
When twice the photons hit the sensor, the signal doubles
Humans, however, perceive twice the light as only a slight increase
We are far more sensitive to changes in shadows than highlights. This fundamental mismatch is why gamma curves, LOG profiles, and dynamic range management exist.
Practical Considerations: Timing and Data Handling
In real-world shooting, video quality is also limited by practicality.
Every creator must consider:
How much time is available to shoot and deliver
How much data can be stored and backed up
How complex the post-production workflow can be
Higher-quality capture usually means:
Larger files
Slower editing
Higher storage and processing costs
This is why choosing the right workflow matters more than choosing the highest specification.
Three Simplified Approaches to Video Shooting
At a practical level, creators usually follow one of three approaches:
Choice 1: Premix Set – Straight Out of Camera
Ready-to-use footage
Minimal post-production
Fast delivery
Choice 2: Premix Set + Colour Grade
Flexible look adjustment
Balanced file sizes
Controlled workflow
Choice 3: Shoot RAW + Full Colour Grade
Maximum data capture
Highest flexibility
Heavier workflows
These premix settings are commonly known as Picture Profiles.
Picture Profiles: Making Technology Relatable
Picture profiles form the foundation of a camera’s colour science.
They are premix solutions designed to deliver:
Consistency
Predictable results
Brand-specific looks (for example, cinematic profiles like Cinetone)
Picture profiles process video signals before compression by:
Modifying gamma curves
Correcting colour before compression damage occurs
Picture Profiles Are a Combination of:
Colour space (colour gamut)
Non-linear data conversion (gamma curves)
Edge detail and sharpness parameters
Common Examples:
S-Log 1, 2, 3
Cine4
Cinelike
HLG3
Gamma Curves Explained Simply
Gamma defines how smoothly black transitions into white on a digital display.
It is commonly expressed using numbers like 2.2 or 2.4, which represent the curve’s shape.
Why Gamma Matters:
Helps separate shades of grey
Controls contrast between highlights and shadows
Improves tonal transitions
LOG is one type of gamma curve designed to preserve more usable image data.
Gamma curves compensate for:
Limited bit depth
Limited dynamic range
They prioritize midtone detail, where human vision is most sensitive.
What Is Important — and What Is Unacceptable
If a gamma curve is poorly implemented:
Black-to-white transitions become uneven
Grey tones merge
Colour accuracy suffers
This directly impacts image quality and viewing comfort.
Dynamic Range and Contrast
Dynamic range refers to the difference between the darkest and brightest parts of a scene.
Understanding Middle Grey:
Middle grey is based on reflectance. When a surface reflects 50% of the light falling on it, it is considered middle grey.
What Does a LOG Shoot Do?
Humans are most sensitive to tones around middle grey.
In high-contrast scenes, LOG:
Shifts middle grey slightly to the right
Preserves shadow detail
Distributes light more evenly across the image
How LOG Works:
Maximizes midtone information
Protects darker areas
Places middle grey around 32–38%
The primary goal of LOG is shadow preservation, not just highlight protection.
Shooting RAW: Maximum Data Capture
RAW video captures everything the sensor sees.
Characteristics of RAW:
Very large file sizes
Often proprietary formats
To address compatibility, Adobe introduced DNG (Digital Negative) as an open RAW standard.
Common RAW Formats:
R3D
ARW
CR3
DNG (universal, open standard)
The RAW workflow remains consistent:
Capture
Import
Process
Export to universal formats
RAW offers maximum flexibility but requires careful planning and infrastructure.
Sampling, Compression, and Why Data Is Limited
Most video data captured by a camera is sampled data, not complete data.
This is done to:
Keep file sizes manageable
Make storage and processing economically viable
Over time, manufacturers have developed compression methods based on universal logic. The chosen compression depends on:
Required quality
Workflow needs
Storage and processing limitations
The compression decision is effectively made at the time of shooting.
How Cameras See Colour
Cameras do not truly “see” colour. They approximate colour using mathematical models.
Each manufacturer uses its own colour science
Colour interpretation differs across brands
This is why footage from different cameras looks different even under identical lighting conditions.
(Refer to our detailed video on “How Cameras See Colour” for deeper understanding.)
How Modern Cameras Address All Storytellers
Modern cameras are designed to support creators across all skill levels.
They:
Mix proven colour science from photography and cinema cameras
Increase flexibility by prioritizing detail where it matters most
Perform well in both low-light and high-contrast scenes
Offer manageable file sizes with RAW-like flexibility
These systems provide solutions that were once limited to professional cinema cameras.
Types of Users
Vlogging
Fast setup
Ready-to-use footage
Minimal post-production
Cinema All-Rounder
LOG or RAW options
Strong dynamic range
Creative flexibility
Professional Hybrid
High-quality photo and video
Advanced picture profiles
Reliable workflows
Hybrid Enthusiast
Learning-focused
Flexible capture options
Scalable quality levels